Man charged with raping another man in seaside city centre

A man has been charged with raping another man and blackmailing him.

Michael Fry, 43, is accused of raping the man at his home in New England Street in Brighton, Sussex.

He is accused of raping the man twice as well as a number of other offences, which happened between April 2 and 5.

The victim reported Fry to the police on April 5 and is being supported by specially trained officers, Sussex Police said. The force confirmed that the victim is an adult man.

The other offences Fry is accused of are:

• Causing a male aged 13 or over to engage in penetrative sexual activity
• Causing grievous bodily harm
• Administering a substance with intent to stupefy or overpower to allow sexual activity
• Possession of a class C drug
• Blackmail
• Voyeurism
• Threatening to share a photograph or film of a person in an intimate setting

Detective Chief Superintendent Richard McDonagh said: ‘This is a complex and wide-ranging investigation, and we are keen to hear from witnesses or anyone who may hold vital information.

‘If you have any information that could help, no matter how insignificant it may seem, please contact us online or via 101, quoting Operation Pitchford.’

Fry is set to appear at Brighton magistrates court later today (April 10).

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